Primarily a collection of news links about all 10 Horizon League teams on a daily basis, culled from online newspapers, school athletic websites, the conference website, and school newspapers, plus some other content from time to time.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

News On The Horizon 4/12/2012

Dragicevich is a 6-foot-7 shooting guard that has spent the last two seasons at Notre Dame. Dragicevich decided to transfer back on March 27 in part because of concerns about playing time. Dragicevich was behind a number of talented guards in South Bend. The sophomore played in all 34 games this past season, starting 10 of those contests. He averaged 20.9 minutes and 6.6 points per game, shooting 39.2 percent from the field and 34.2 percent from deep.

Dragicevich has already visited Northwestern and Loyola (Illinois) and is also looking at Valparaiso. The Glenbrook North (Illinois) prospect would get to stay close to home should he pick either Northwestern or Loyola. But if he wants more playing time and an opportunity to shoot the three, well ...

The only problem with adding a kid like Dragicevich -- or any transfer for that matter -- is one of scholarship management. Dragicevich would have to sit out a year due to NCAA transfer rules and that would put him in the rather large, seven member freshman class for the 2013-14 season. If I'm Donahue, I want to try to spread the scholarships over four years as much as possible so we avoid having to bring in 7-8 members for the 2015 class.

SALT LAKE CITY -- Meaningful minutes was the mantra for Jazz Senior VP of Basketball Operations Kevin O'Connor and Head Coach Tyrone Corbin. As the Jazz embarked on the 2011-12 lockout-shortened season the questions about the young players, Gordon Hayward, Derrick Favors, Alec Burks and Enes Kanter were continual. How would they be worked in? How will they develop? How much time will they get?

In a game with huge postseason implications, the Utah Jazz earned perhaps their biggest win of the year so far by beating Houston 103-91. Gordon Hayward spearheaded the Utah attack with 29 points and six assists. Goran Dragic paced Houston with 19 points and seven assists.

Guards: Gordon Hayward came out of fire, scoring 12 of his points in the first quarter for the Jazz (31-28). He was brilliant the whole evening, making big play after big play. Backcourt mate Devin Harris was bogged down with foul trouble, totaling just six points in 21 minutes. Jamaal Tinsley was great in his place, playing a heady seven-point, four-assist game.

For the Rockets (32-26), Dragic continued his torrid play as he earned 14 free-throw attempts, most coming at Harris’ expense. Courtney Lee was so-so with nine points on just 4-of-11 shooting. Houston's Kyle Lowry, who is coming back from a long hiatus, penetrated at will at the start of the fourth quarter and had 15 points in the end. GRADE: B+

Millsap finished Wednesday's game with 21 points, second behind Gordon Hayward's season-high 29. He also had seven rebounds. The durable forward, who has a high pain tolerance, has only missed 13 games in his entire NBA career, including just one this season for a severely bruised heel.

Even before Millsap’s injury, Corbin was left with few options in selecting Utah’s starting lineup.

Devin Harris, Gordon Hayward and Al Jefferson are locked in, while DeMarre Carroll has recently filled in for Miles.

Corbin could start rookie Alec Burks at shooting guard and move Gordon Hayward back to small forward. Carroll has played well in two of the Jazz’s last three games, though, while Hayward excelled Wednesday as Utah’s primary shooter.

But Washington got the final basket of the quarter and began the second period with a 9-3 flourish that included eight points combined from Seraphin and Martin. By the time backup point guard Shelvin Mack made 1 of 2 foul shots, the Wizards had drawn to 32-27.

Brad Stevens did some good work with his three-man recruiting class, getting one of the state's most prolific scorers in Kellen Dunham from Pendleton Heights. Dunham rates as the No. 78 player nationally according to ESPN, higher than any of Purdue's for signees. He should fit well into Butler's system as a pure jump shooter who can also use his 6'5" size to get to the basket.

Dunham will be joined by 6' point guard Chris Harrison-Docks, a three-star prospect from Okemos, MI and 6'3" shooting guard Devontae Morgan from Tampa, FL. Only seniors Ronald Nored and Garrett Butcher graduate this season, so the Bulldogs should have a lot more experience as they try to return to the NCAA Tournament.

Uncomfortable is the right word. Spoelstra is making the type of lineup adjustments with the playoffs around the corner that Doc Rivers was making two months ago. Mike Miller missed 14 games because of an ankle injury. Norris Cole has hit the rookie wall. Terrel Harris is figuring out how to fit in. James Jones needs more minutes. Mario Chalmers needs more assists. Udonis Haslem needs to make a difference more often. Newly acquired Ronny Turiaf has replaced Joel Anthony as starting center. Shane Battier is showing his age. Dwyane Wade is showing his mileage.